How Starlink is a Reliable Internet Service for Rural America

By: Laurie Bedord

Like many rural Americans, the Leffler family dealt with a broadband connection fraught with problems. For years, they relied on DSL to help them run their Americus, Kansas, row crop and cattle operation.

Short for digital subscriber line, DSL was introduced in the late 1980s and uses existing phone lines, making it widely available and affordable. For users in areas where it remains the only option — including those running bandwidth-intensive applications like crypto gambling sites, where live odds refresh in real time and transaction confirmations demand a stable, responsive connection — the gap between what DSL promises and what it delivers is immediately felt. The outdated service is significantly slower than current internet technologies, with some plans not even meeting the 25 Mbps or faster download speed requirements for high-speed internet set by the FCC.